Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by James Bustamante
A Machu Picchu family trip works best when the route, train schedule and daily pace suit the youngest traveler. You can reach the site by train and bus without taking the Inca Trail, although the visit itself still involves walking on uneven stone paths and steps.
Start with your children’s ages, your available days and the amount of walking everyone can comfortably manage. We can use those details to suggest a family itinerary and explain what is included before you book.
Why Take a Machu Picchu Family Trip?
Many Families dream of taking a trip to an exotic destination together. Peru’s important aspect in this situation is the well-built infrastructure to accommodate such a trip. From frequent domestic flights to accommodations, land transportation, trains, and tracks built simply for tourism to well-equipped and trained staff. Peru has all you need in an exotic and mainly safe destination to bring the entire family along.
Choose the ticketed route around your family’s interests and walking ability. Optional mountain and trail routes have separate conditions, availability and age restrictions, so confirm eligibility for every child before booking.
What Are The Best Options For a Family Trip To Machu Picchu?
There are many ways for a family to reach Machu Picchu; however, if you are traveling with young children, we suggest the more conventional methods of travel. You can even choose the best times to visit Machu Picchu. Several options can accommodate how early your kids or the rest of your family likes to wake up in the morning (or the afternoon).
A private Machu Picchu tour lets your family have its own guide. It can be good value when costs are shared, but it is not automatically the cheapest option for a family of three. Compare equivalent private and shared quotes.
The best option to reach Aguas Calientes and then Machu Picchu is by train from the Ollantaytambo station. However, the easiest way is to have private transport pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and drive you to the station, located just an hour and a half away.
Compare train departures before choosing between Expedition, Vistadome and other services. Both Expedition and Vistadome have large windows. Meals, entertainment and other inclusions depend on the service and direction, so confirm the exact booking rather than assuming an upgrade guarantees a show or more space.
Family Trips To The Sacred Valley
Consider spending your first nights in the Sacred Valley rather than Cusco. Some towns are at a lower elevation and can suit a gentler start. This does not eliminate altitude illness. Discuss the itinerary with your child’s healthcare professional if you have health concerns.
Getting to Machu Picchu For Families
Once your entire group has had enough time to acclimate to the elevation, you’re on your way to starting the Machu Picchu journey. If you are traveling with teens or young adults, you might want to try one of the multi-day hikes like the four-day Inca trail. If your Machu Picchu family trip consists of young children, we go back to the original train travel plan to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu By Bus With Children
Once you leave the train station in Aguas Calientes, you’ll take a short 10-minute walk to the bus station. This is, of course, assuming you are taking a one-day trip and not spending the night in Aguas Calientes.
After arriving at the bus station, you can make a line and wait for the next available shuttle up the mountain. The entire system is very well organized, with buses leaving every few minutes. If you decided to travel on your own instead of through a travel operator, then make sure to purchase tickets at the kiosk by the bus station. You’ll need to present your passport to buy bus tickets, so remember to have the entire family’s paperwork on hand.
The bus ride is 20 to 25 minutes, depending on weather and road conditions. As we move up the mountain, you’ll have a chance to see truly spectacular views of the surrounding towns and mountains.
Getting Lunch At The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
Depending on the schedule, you can go to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge for lunch before or after your Machu Picchu family tour. I prefer to do this afterward, though. Once you finish the hiking portion, you can have a nice filling meal. Hiking on a full stomach might not be the best choice for most people in high elevations.
The lodge is the only place to grab a bite to eat on the mountain, so for most people, it’s a no-brainer. The Sanctuary Lodge restaurant is called The Tinukey, and it serves food buffet style, so try the various dishes. In addition, there are several restaurants back in Aguas Calientes if you prefer to get a meal while you wait for your return train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
Activities For Kids In Machu Picchu
If you are traveling to Machu Picchu and your family includes young children, you’ll want to make sure they are well entertained. Some areas in the complex might be more interesting for children than others. Once your tickets are stamped, you can begin the tour and check for specific landmarks.
You can see right near the entrance plaques that specify when Hiram Bingham re-discovered the Machu Picchu complex. Remember that locals already knew about Machu Picchu way before the official Hiram Bingham expedition. Locals lived near the complex, farmed, and mined as well.
The expedition was actually guided up the mountain by a young local farmer.
Ask your guide to turn the landmarks on your booked route into stories about Inca life. Access to temples, terraces and viewpoints depends on the ticket, so do not promise children that one visit will include every area of Machu Picchu.
Walking Around Machu Picchu With Children
Expect uneven paving, stone steps and exposed edges. Keep children close, follow the guide and stay on the designated route. Do not assume there will be a railing beside every drop.
An overnight stay in Aguas Calientes can make the schedule less rushed. Compare a Machu Picchu day trip with a trip over two days before choosing.
Wildlife At The Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Families with young children, in particular, will enjoy watching some of the local wildlife in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. So what are some of the species they’ll get to see in the complex?
The Llamas are always the #1 requested animal in Machu Picchu. Children and adults look forward to seeing these Andean camelids walking around freely in the Inca city. You can usually find them in the upper sections of the sanctuary; remember that llamas are generally shy around humans.
Have you ever heard of Viscachas? These tiny rodents can be found going around Machu Picchu. They look like a mix of a rabbit and a guinea pig. There are also several species of birds flying around. From unique hummingbirds only found in this part of the world to birds of prey soaring up above.
Tips for Planning a Machu Picchu Family Trip
Reserve the entry route and time before building the rest of the day around it. Leave room for transfers, bus queues and a meal after the visit. Confirm child fares and passport requirements directly for your chosen train, bus and entry tickets.
Ask about hotel luggage storage before leaving for Aguas Calientes. Pack within the train operator’s allowance and discuss any special assistance in advance.
For mountain hikes or optional trails, check current age limits, ticket availability and physical demands. A shorter route is not necessarily an easy route.
Tell us the ages of your children, your dates and how much walking your family enjoys. We can recommend suitable Machu Picchu vacation packages for your family and explain the confirmed inclusions.
Conclusion
Our Machu Picchu tours and vacation packages can be adapted to your family’s preferred pace.
Planning a Machu Picchu family trip can be a challenge. Still, with the proper guidance and the right operational team in Peru, it can be one of the most enjoyable vacations ever. Contact our travel advisors today to help you organize your next family trip to Peru!
Cover Photo Timon Studler
